Being Teachable

Devotional for 9.6.11

There’s a special energy in school hallways this time of year. The excitement for learning is contagious – especially among students in the lower elementary grades. That enthusiasm is evident in GEMS counselors as well. What a privilege and joy it is to teach girls. Do we also count it all joy when others teach and instruct us? That’s what we’re going to think on together. Let’s turn to Proverbs 9 and get some wisdom on being teachable.

BEING TEACHABLE

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

Proverbs 9:7

A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen. “Careful,” he said. “CAREFUL! Put in more butter! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Gracious! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!”

The wife stared at him. “What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?”

The husband calmly replied, “I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving” (Author unknown).

Although this story is taken to an extreme, it does raise the question: How well do you and I receive correction when it’s merited and necessary? Are we approachable and teachable? Do we appreciate or resent spouses, employers, and sisters and brothers in Christ who speak the truth in love?

Our character is revealed by the way we give and receive correction. The book of Proverbs calls those who do not listen to correction “Mockers.” A mocker is proud and arrogant. She does not listen to rebuke, resents correction, and insults and even hates those who suggest course-corrections to her (Proverbs 21:24, 13:1, 15:12, 9:8).

Wise women heed instruction from His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).  They love those who care enough to speak wisdom into their lives, even when it hurts. They apply that wisdom to their lives and experience its reward (Proverbs 9:8, 12).

It feels a little bit like sitting in a dentist chair to willingly enter into a conversation with someone who tells us that our words or actions were careless or even sinful. Correction cuts. Rebuke hurts. Those who are wise will get past that pain rather than letting it fester. They’ll pray for discernment, measure it against the standard of God’s Word, and grow through it.

Wisdom Step: How teachable are you? Be wise and loving in how you give and receive correction.

If any speak ill of thee, flee home to thy own conscience, and examine thy heart; if thou be guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fair instruction; make use of both, so shalt thou distill honey out of gall, and out of an open enemy create a secret friend.

Francis Quaries

Wisdom's Call

Devotional for 8.29.11

What’s calling out to you today? A child? The telephone? Email? A to-do list? An employer? A neighbor? A parent or friend?

Do you hear her? There’s someone else calling. Her name is Wisdom! Let’s page to Proverbs 8 and do more than hear. Let’s listen; let’s listen well.

WISDOM’S CALL

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

Proverbs 8:1

When my daughters played sports, and I was in the stands amidst the other parents, if any of the children called out, “Mom!” on cue, every mother’s head turned in that direction. We heard the call “Mom!” and responded – whether it was our child or not!

In chapter 8 of Proverbs, Wisdom calls out with raised voice: You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right(Proverbs 8:5-6). Wisdom loudly calls out, but do we hear and respond to her call?

In the New Testament Jesus repeatedly said to His listeners, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15, 13:43, Mark 4:9 . . .)

Hearing and listening can be two different things. I can hear my husband and nod at timely intervals, without listening to a word that he has to say. We can do the same with wisdom. We can read Proverbs and even teach Proverbs, without listening to a word that the Lord has for us.

Ears that really hear and listen, respond with obedience. Their hearts are not calloused to wisdom’s call; they are doing what He decrees! James asked, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13).

Those who listen will be happy and blessed. Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway (Proverbs 8:32, 34).

Those who listen will find true life. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death (Proverbs 8:35-36). Jesus repeats that life-giving truth in all four gospels. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul (Mark 8:35-36)?

Sometimes we can be guilty of “selective hearing” – hearing what we want to hear, and tuning out what we don’t want to apply to our lives. There’s a deadly price tag to tuning out wisdom’s call. May we hear, listen, obey, and find true life.

Wisdom Step: Today measure your wisdom by what you do, instead of what you know. On a scale of 1 to 10, how wise are you?

Wisdom is hearing and doing the Word of God.

John Piper

Proverbs 7 Warnings

Devotional for 8.22.11

PROVERBS 7 WARNINGS

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

Proverbs 7:4-5

With the Bible heading, Warning Against the Adulteress, Proverbs 7 seems like a chapter exclusively for men. The reality is that each page of God’s book is for each one of His children – male and female. The warnings given to the young men in Proverbs 7 are needed by women of all ages, too.

In an online article posted on April 7, 2011, Guardian reported that more and more women are using pornography. “At Quit Porn Addiction, the UK’s main porn counseling service, almost one in three clients are women struggling with their own porn use, says founder and counselor Jason Dean. Two years ago, there were none. While more than six out of 10 women say they view web porn, one study in 2006 by the Internet Filter View found that 17% of women describe themselves as ‘addicted’”.

Sexual temptations for men and women are not limited to the Internet. There are TV shows like “Sex and the City”, larger than life posters of scantily dressed models in the mall’s display windows where families are flocking to purchase school clothes this time of year, and morning talk shows openly discuss sex toy parties.

Be warned! To follow after these temptations will be like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his (her) life” (Proverbs 7:22-23).

Now then, my sons (daughters) listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her (the ways of the adulteress) or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death (Proverbs 7:24-27).

Sex is God’s idea. Sadly, the images, persuasive words, and smooth talk of our culture are desensitizing an entire generation from God’s good and beautiful plan.

We must store up His commands within us, guard His teachings as the apple of our eye, bind them on our fingers, and write them on the tablet of our heart (Proverbs 7:2-4) – and teach the girls in our clubs to do the same! His wisdom will give us a discerning heart and keep our feet on His good and pure paths.

Wisdom Step: Measure everything you read, see, hear, do, and wear today to the plumb line of God’s commands.

When young women understand the cosmic consequences of sexual sin, the worldviews that shape our consumption of sexual messages today, and how God’s glory is under spiritual attack . . . they will be sobered by how Satan still “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) – and that men and women alike are fair game.

Carolyn McCulley

The Enemy of Righteousness

Devotional for 8.8.11

Let’s page to Proverbs chapter 6 as we continue to focus on this season’s GEMS theme, Get Wisdom: Go beyond the Gold!

THE ENEMY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man (woman) who stirs up dissension among brothers (sisters).

Proverbs 6:16-19

“It’ll just be a minute,” I tell my family as I close the car door and walk to my sister’s front door to drop something off. They know better. A minute with my sister is never a minute. It was never a minute when my mom stopped at my Aunt Sharon’s home. It’s never been a minute when I stop at my sister Lori. It’s simply understood in these circumstances that “a minute” means “more.”

The same is true of the numerical list in Proverbs 6 that names the things that God hates. The six things – make that seven things ­ – that are detestable to Him are not intended to be an exhaustive list. It’s simply understood in these verses that “six and seven” means “more.”

Proverbs 6:16-19 is not a stand-alone list. Instead it reinforces God’s attitude toward unrepentant sin:

God hates haughty eyes  (v. 17a). A scoundrel and villain, who winks with his (her) eye (v. 12 a, 13a). Dear daughter, keep your Father’s commands: Be completely humble (Ephesians 4:2).

God hates a lying tongue (v. 17b). A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth (v. 12). Child of God, choose righteousness: Be truthful (Proverbs 12:19).

God hates hands that shed innocent blood (v. 17c). ). A scoundrel and villain, who plots evil with deceit in his (her) heart  – he (she) always stirs up dissension (v. 12a, 14). Beloved of God, we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

God hates a heart that devises wicked schemes (v. 18a). A scoundrel and villain, who motions with his (her) fingers (v. 12a, 13c). Sister in Jesus, be a woman of integrity (Proverbs 10:9).

God hates feet that are quick to rush into evil (v. 18a). A scoundrel and villain, who signals with his (her) feet (v. 12a, 13b). Child of God, be wise: in the way of righteousness there is life (Proverbs 12:28).

God hates a false witness who pours out lies (v. 19a). A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth (v. 12). Daughter of the King, walk the highway of the upright: Give honest testimony (Proverbs 12:17).

God’s hatred of unrepentant sin is not a mild irritation. He loathes it. Sin is an intense outrage in His sight! God is holy and perfect and cannot allow sin to be in His presence. That’s why we need Jesus and the forgiveness that He graces us through the cross.

Wisdom Step: Hate what God hates so you can love the way God loves.

The change is radical-

it gives us new natures,

it makes us love what we hated and hate what we loved,

it sets us in a new road;

it makes our habits different,

it makes our thoughts different,

it makes us different in private,

and different in public.

C. H. Spurgeon  (on conversion)

Obedience is God's Love Language

Devotional for 8.1.11

Let’s page to Proverbs chapter 5 as we continue to focus on this season’s GEMS theme, Get Wisdom: Go beyond the Gold!

OBEDIENCE IS GOD’S LOVE LANGUAGE

For your ways are in full view of the LORD,

and he examines all your paths.

Proverbs 5:21

In one of Anne Graham Lotz’s books I recall a story that she told about her mother’s cleaning spree in preparation for a TV interview that was taking place in Billy and Ruth’s home. Ruth scrubbed, dusted, and vacuumed every nook and cranny until their home was spotless. All was squeaky-clean and ready by interview day. At least that’s what Ruth thought. It was lights, camera, horror! Ruth was shocked and dismayed when the intensity of the camera crew’s lights revealed a haze of dust and cobwebs in her seemingly immaculate home. What was hidden in natural lighting was made visible under the scrutiny of the penetrating lights.

When it comes to sin, we can deceive ourselves into thinking that our lives look pretty good, even squeaky-clean when compared to some. Like the Proverbs 5 adulteress whose words drip honey and whose speech is smoother than oil (v. 3), we can smooth and soften sin by calling lying, a slight exaggeration, by calling gossip, a prayer request, by labeling murder, the right to choose, calling immodesty, fashion, dubbing flirtatiousness, as being friendly, and naming greed, entitlement.

The sin we rationalize, excuse, downgrade, justify, overlook, tolerate, and even defend is not hidden from God. For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths (Proverbs 5:21). “The word ‘paths’ refers literally to the ruts worn by repeated travel of wagons over a roadway” (John A. Kitchen, Proverbs A Mentor Commentary). Is there a repeated, habitual sin that is part of your and my life? Has it become such an everyday rut in our life’s path that it doesn’t feel like it’s really that big of a deal?

At the GEMS Counselors’ Leadership Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado, Ray Vander Laan pointedly and passionately taught us from God’s Word that God’s love language is obedience. Make no mistake; we are saved by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8), but it’s through obedience that we tell God, “I love You!” This is love for God: to obey his commands (1 John 5:3). Obedience shows love to God; obedience is God’s love language!

Wisdom Prayer: Heavenly Father, our ways are in full view of You – the blatant sin, and the sin we think no one else knows about. Test us, O LORD, and try us, examine our hearts and our minds. Reveal the ruts and potholes of our paths. Shine the penetrating light of Your Word and Spirit into our lives so we can clearly recognize sin’s addictive and destructive nature. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Teach us to pay attention to Your wisdom, and to listen well to Your words of insight, so that we will maintain discretion and our lips may preserve knowledge. We love You. We will obey Your commands. In Jesus’ name, Amen (Proverbs 5:21, Psalm 26:2, Matthew 6:12, Proverbs 5:1-2, I John 5:3).

 To escape the error of salvation by works we have fallen into the opposite error of salvation without obedience.

 
A. W. Tozer

Passing on Life Learning

Devotional for 7.25.11

Let’s again hone in on Proverbs chapter 4 as we continue to focus on this season’s GEMS theme, Get Wisdom: Go beyond the Gold!

PASSING ON LIFE LEARNING

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:25-27

In Bible times when people headed out on a long journey by foot they choose a traveling companion that would look out for them and a well-traveled path that would keep them safe. They fixed their eyes on their destination and their feet toward the goal. The same holds true on the faith journey which parents, grandparents, GEMS counselors, and every member of the body of Christ takes with children.  

Be a traveling companion that passes on wisdom. In Proverbs 4 Solomon instructs his son to pay attention and gain understanding (Proverbs 4:1a). He then points to the learning that he received as a child. When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live” (Proverbs 4:3-4). From generation to generation we must pass on the baton of faith by guiding children in the way of wisdom and leading them along straight paths (Proverbs 4:11). What children are you intentionally mentoring right now? Will you grab hold of the opportunity to guide more?

Choose level paths. Safe and level paths protect us from bad choices that almost always come with painful consequences. The safety of firm paths doesn’t guarantee that we’ll never be bruised and battered by hardships. A Proverbs commentator wrote, “Wise living does not bring about the good life. Rather, it keeps one from getting lost. It points out the folly of choosing evil as though it were some path to gain and instead reveals it for what it is, a true loss of life and character.”

Let go. There is a time and season to walk this faith journey hand in hand with children within our home and in our clubs, knowing there will be a time and season when they set out on their own path and are fully responsible for the decisions they make. When they leave the nest or our clubs encourage them to keep God’s word and wisdom in their sight and within their heart (Proverbs 4:21). Remind them of their responsibility to choose well and wisely. In the same way that Paul cheered on Timothy, encourage them to pass on the life learning they’ve received! “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (2 Timothy 2:1-2, NLT).

Wisdom Step: Be intentional each time your path intersects with children. Pass on His wisdom to a child today.

Discipleship is like the generation gap between parents and children: We often tell kids to grow up. They can’t grow up. They need mentoring. They can’t grow up because they’ve never been there before. We as parents [and mentors] have been there. The goal is not for them to grow up but for us to become like them and show them how. That’s what Jesus did. He became like them to show them how.

Dan Riemenschneider

-------------------------------------------
Remember to find and "Like" us on Facebook for up-to-date information about our Area!

Guard Your Heart

Devotional for 7.18.11

We’re up to Proverbs chapter 4 as we continue to focus on this season’s GEMS theme, Get Wisdom: Go beyond the Gold!

GUARD YOUR HEART

Above all else, guard your heart,

For it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

The children’s song, O Be Careful, Little Eyes, wisely instructs children of all ages to be careful what their eyes see, what their ears hear, what their hands do, and where their feet go. According to Proverbs 4:23, it’s missing a verse:

Oh be careful little heart what you keep.

Oh be careful little heart what you keep.

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little heart what you keep.

What we keep within our heart, to a great extent determines how we live. That’s why Solomon gives the command to guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life (Proverbs 4:23, NLT).  

In my high school basketball days I was a scrappy guard. I had zero comprehension of what to do on offense, but had an innate understanding that on defense I was to guard the basket at all costs. The context of this verse isn’t a guarding that keeps a basketball from the hoop, or a hockey puck or soccer ball from the net. This verse’s primary focus is not so much to guard our heart by keeping the bad stuff out, but by keeping the good stuff of God’s teachings, commands, and wisdom in!

The verses that precede the instruction to guard our heart reiterate the importance of keeping a vigilant watch over what we keep within. My son (daughter), pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart (Proverbs 4:20-21). Deuteronomy 4:9 says, Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children (and your GEMS!) and to the children after them.

Our heart houses our motives, thoughts, and emotions. What we keep within the control center of our heart will guide the choices we make and the paths that we take. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:18-19).  

Wisdom Step: Do a heart check. What is your greatest affection and treasure? Is it God and His Word? Your family? Your agenda? Work? Money? Weekends? Travel? What you treasure will determine the course of your life. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at my end, and at my departing.

Old Sarum Primer, 1558